Replacement Battery

[GMCChevy]

Most batteries aren't lasting as long as they used to. After going through a lot of omes that were junk I've had the most luck with Walmart batteries.
Delcos used to be decent but not in a long time. AGM batteries aren't what they used to be either.

 

[swathdiver]

But that doesn't give them a license to sell junk.
My original GM issue Delco battery lasted 7 years.
The replacement Delco lasted 5 years.
This replacement Delco a hair over 3 years. Something is wrong there.

Original everything that comes in the cars seems to last longer.

It also depends on how we use the cars over the years and where we live. I had a battery that was doing great until the body shop let it drain dead twice. By that point it was almost 6 years old and it was a 30 month battery. Then my last 48HPG died at 43 months.

 

[ss4chad]

But that doesn't give them a license to sell junk.
My original GM issue Delco battery lasted 7 years.
The replacement Delco lasted 5 years.
This replacement Delco a hair over 3 years. Something is wrong there.

Battery technology has not improved or changed much over the past 60 almost 70 yrs. Other than an AGM (Absorbed Glass Material) and a VERY limited availability of actual Gel Batteries, not AGM, the standard Lead acid plate battery is the same now as it was when your Dad, Grandpa or Great Grandpa bought a battery back in the 30's, 40's or 50's!
Even Optima batteries are lead acid, the only different being they are spiral wound instead of straight/flat plates.

The issue is that vehicles have far surpassed the technology of todays battery and the battery manufacturers haven't kept up. Now don't jump on here and say "Well my Tesla battery ............." stop right there!! That is a Lithium Ion Battery that is controlled (massively) electronically and not a Lead Acid battery!

Today's Vehicles are so much more reliant on a power source than what they use to be. The PCM or ECM, Satellite Radio, on board cameras, parking sensors, TPMS, HID or LED bulbs, electric seats-heated and cooled, audio and video screens-amps-sub woofers, electronic transmission shifting, ABS, sun roofs, rear hatch lifts, electric mirrors heated/cooled/folding/lighted, etc....... The power demand has increased 500% I'm guessing although my numbers may be a bit off!

Typically the battery warranty is just about what you get out of it, give or take a few months. If your lucky enough to have a 3yr battery that lasted 5yrs, then lucky you!

From the research I've done their is one battery that I have read Post's about that repeatably brag about the longevity of a particular brand. But I think testimonies that I've read are subjective at the very least. Different operating conditions-climate play a key factor in the life of a battery.

I work Full Time for an Airline and I've been turning wrenches for over 40 yrs, aircraft have standby batteries for emergency essential bus items. The engines don't have a battery like vehicles do because they have their own generators. So the gear box (via a radial drive shaft) keeps a Constant Speed generator running smoothly and efficiently supplying all the power that the engine and aircraft need. When the AC is on the ground it uses an APU for a power supply, which does use a battery to start it!

I've said too much but I think you get my point. Car batteries will last 1-2-3 yrs as their warranties imply, any length past those posted warranty dates is a WIN and should be celebrated!

Cheers!

Chad

 

[Fless]

I currently work PT at O'Reilly's just for the discounts and pocket change. The 'Free Replacement" of a Battery is a true statement to an extent, yes you get a free battery in the event that your battery takes a crap (for example) in the 42 month warranty period.
However, your 42 month warranty DOES NOT start over! Your warranty is only applicable to the original purchase date.

So if you bought a 42 month battery on Jan 1, 2022 and it took a crap on Jan 1, 2025 then you get a 'Free Replacement' battery with a 6 month warranty!

O'Reilly's, AutoZone, NAPA, Advance all use the EXACT TERMS for Battery warranty. Yes some stores will try and work with you and your battery needs, but don't expect or demand it! I know that O'Reilly and Autozone don't Pro Rate batteries any more and stopped doing that about 5 yrs ago, as stated above you just get a new battery (free) with a greatly reduced warranty.

Chad

A workaround for the replacement battery's warranty issue is to first make sure the replacement is fresh and has a recent manufacture date sticker. Then when it fails, don't produce a receipt and the warranty should be honored based on the manufacturing date.

 

[Doubeleive]

and to top that off there is like 3 battery manufactures in the USA, so all those walmart, auto zone, o'rielly, etc, etc, mostly come from the same place and they just slap there sticker on it. next time you go into any of the above mentioned places take a closer look and compare. it's plain as day.....
at that point it just boils down to who may have the current best price
even interstate changed there design about 3 years ago depending on the model it may come from Germany or China
next time you go into costco stop by the tire center and take a look, there are stickers on them one shows the date and the other where it was made.
I can assure you 100% walmart does not make a battery, neither does auto zone or any other auto parts dealer.

 

[gtrslngrchris]

My understanding has been that virgin lead scarcity/price is the reason for batteries being trash the last 10+ years. You have to spend quite a lot on an enthusiast lead acid battery to have one that rivals the old days for longevity.

 

[ss4chad]

and to top that off there is like 3 battery manufactures in the USA, so all those walmart, auto zone, o'rielly, etc, etc, mostly come from the same place and they just slap there sticker on it. next time you go into any of the above mentioned places take a closer look and compare. it's plain as day.....
at that point it just boils down to who may have the current best price
even interstate changed there design about 3 years ago depending on the model it may come from Germany or China
next time you go into costco stop by the tire center and take a look, there are stickers on them one shows the date and the other where it was made.
I can assure you 100% walmart does not make a battery, neither does auto zone or any other auto parts dealer.

100% Correct!

Other than a small handful of companies like Schumacher and Odyssey, just about all batteries are made by one of three manufacturers. Of course that doesn't include batteries made by Mercedes, Audi, Toyota, Honda, BMW or other Foreign Car Companies.

Hey Doubeleive, you staying safe out there against the Fires? Hope you and your family and friends stay safe!

Chad

 

[GMCChevy]

Even when they're made by the same manufacturer they're still specifics their different customers require so they're not all created equal.

 

[ss4chad]

A workaround for the replacement battery's warranty issue is to first make sure the replacement is fresh and has a recent manufacture date sticker. Then when it fails, don't produce a receipt and the warranty should be honored based on the manufacturing date.

I will try to be nice in my reply to your message but, don't try that O'Reilly's or Autozone.
No receipt is No warranty. That is SOP.
We have people coming in all the time who bought a used car with an O battery or a Zone battery that went to shit but the sticker on the side of the battery showed a MFG date within the warranty period, but they can't produce a receipt and we can't find a receipt in a customers purchase history so they are SOL.
Scream, *****, rant, swear they are never coming back if we don't honor a warranty, it doesn't matter, get out and don't come back, these corporations aren't gonna lose any sleep or money if they don't come back. 90% of those people suck it up and by a battery anyway and most of the time we will give them 10% off and throw in a free packet of battery grease or terminal protectors. But you will be hard pressed to get a free battery!

Are there O managers and Zone managers who will succumb and hand out free batteries? Of course their are, but those instances are not often, that free battery comes out of the Store Managers monthly incentives (sales) and not many are in a position financially to give away part of their paycheck!

Chad

 

[Doubeleive]

100% Correct!

Other than a small handful of companies like Schumacher and Odyssey, just about all batteries are made by one of three manufacturers. Of course that doesn't include batteries made by Mercedes, Audi, Toyota, Honda, BMW or other Foreign Car Companies.

Hey Doubeleive, you staying safe out there against the Fires? Hope you and your family and friends stay safe!

Chad

all good, pretty far north of all that mess about 5 hours away, nothing to burn here just farmland
I was thinking though it would suck if your house happened to survive in a burned out area as you would have no running water, power or gas. all of it is shut off and each unit has to be capped off so it may be months or years with no utility's so still screwed.....

 

[Doubeleive]

Even when they're made by the same manufacturer they're still specifics their different customers require so they're not all created equal.

some yes, but many are on the same run. retooling takes time

 

[bonegunner]

I have had great luck with Duralast Gold batteries, and one lasted 8 years in our Tahoe.

I put a charger on them every couple of months, since most of our trips are short distances.

My dad taught me that around town driving is tough on batteries.

 

[SpyShops212]

What are you driving?

2018 Escalade Luxury

 

[swathdiver]

2018 Escalade Luxury

I asked because of your comments about AGM batteries. Your system is designed to charge them properly. The OPs truck is not optimized to charge them properly.

 

[BADRIDES]

I currently work PT at O'Reilly's just for the discounts and pocket change. The 'Free Replacement" of a Battery is a true statement to an extent, yes you get a free battery in the event that your battery takes a crap (for example) in the 42 month warranty period.
However, your 42 month warranty DOES NOT start over! Your warranty is only applicable to the original purchase date.

So if you bought a 42 month battery on Jan 1, 2022 and it took a crap on Jan 1, 2025 then you get a 'Free Replacement' battery with a 6 month warranty!

O'Reilly's, AutoZone, NAPA, Advance all use the EXACT TERMS for Battery warranty. Yes some stores will try and work with you and your battery needs, but don't expect or demand it! I know that O'Reilly and Autozone don't Pro Rate batteries any more and stopped doing that about 5 yrs ago, as stated above you just get a new battery (free) with a greatly reduced warranty.

Chad

GM is the same on warranty wise

 

[EddieC]

I currently work PT at O'Reilly's just for the discounts and pocket change. The 'Free Replacement" of a Battery is a true statement to an extent, yes you get a free battery in the event that your battery takes a crap (for example) in the 42 month warranty period.
However, your 42 month warranty DOES NOT start over! Your warranty is only applicable to the original purchase date.

So if you bought a 42 month battery on Jan 1, 2022 and it took a crap on Jan 1, 2025 then you get a 'Free Replacement' battery with a 6 month warranty!

O'Reilly's, AutoZone, NAPA, Advance all use the EXACT TERMS for Battery warranty. Yes some stores will try and work with you and your battery needs, but don't expect or demand it! I know that O'Reilly and Autozone don't Pro Rate batteries any more and stopped doing that about 5 yrs ago, as stated above you just get a new battery (free) with a greatly reduced warranty.

Chad

That's fair enough. Assuming a person got 3 years out of the first one it wouldn't take much time for the replacement to make him get his original money's worth. Anything more is unreasonable.

 

[Thrust]

That's fair enough. Assuming a person got 3 years out of the first one it wouldn't take much time for the replacement to make him get his original money's worth. Anything more is unreasonable.

It's the same with Walmart. A battery replaced under warranty doesn't start the clock over.

 

[Jetskier77]

I put a Autozone Duralast Platinum AGM battery 3 years ago. I paid $250 and was able to change it in 30 minutes in front of Autozone using there tools. They offered to do it for me but I won’t allow anyone to do it because they can scratch or damage my fender or paint. Duralast and Diehard are the same brand. Diehard is a sears brand that was always the best to get. Previously I bought a GM 42 month Delco Gold non-AGM for $220 which Cadillac roadside bought to me when my original battery died. Roadside convinced me that AGM is not good for our trucks so I believed him. 8 months later the new Delco Gold battery failed and I lost the receipt. I was told I had to go to the selling dealer that roadside was sent from but I was 1200 miles from home on vacation. I was not about to call roadside every time I needed to go somewhere with my truck with my family on vacation. It is embarrassing since I always brag about how great my truck is. I went to Autozone and bought the Duralast platinum AGM and now 3 years later it is still perfect. I can go to any Autozone in the world when my battery fails and get a new battery under warranty or prorated at any location using my phone number. The Duralast also has a 140 hour reserve. I can clean my truck for hours and no loss of battery. Our trucks are fully compatible with AGM.

Autozone sells the DuraLast AGM platinum:

Duralast Platinum Group Size 94R / H7 Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Battery H7-AGM | AutoZone

Duralast Platinum AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) Batteries are designed to give you the ultimate combination of power, durability, and flexibility. These batteries are engineered to meet or exceed the performance of your original AGM battery. Delivering maximum cold cranking amps and reserve...

www.autozone.com

Advanced auto sells the Diehard AGM platinum:

Advance Auto Parts - Down for Maintenance

They are exactly the same manufacturers just labeled different. If you ask your grandparents about how good the Diehard Sears batteries were they will tell you they are top of the line.

Well, they used to be top of the line. Not so sure anymore. The last couple of Diehards I had experienced notably shorter life than say the Diehards of decades ago.

 

[Jetskier77]

my last set of Interstate AGM's lasted me almost 5 years (even with the California heat), they probably would have made 5 years+ but I could tell they were getting weaker
Costco sells them for around $170 with a 3 year warranty.
I believe that is $10 cheaper than a standard walmart battery, last time I checked anyway

Yup, $179 plus fees ($212 out the door) for the Interstate AGM with 3 year prorated warranty.

 

[jaxscuby]

I had the enjoyment of removing the battery out of the Tahoe this past tuesday.
the battery lost all charge. charged it over night and it held charge.

The voltage gauge usually reads above 12 and sometimes up to 15.
going to parts store to have charging/battery checked.

So factory is 48R but it also accepts 94R, both types flooded & AGM.

shopping around for new battery and came across Weize Batteries, made in the USA, with distribution warehouse
both coast.

WEIZE Platinum AGM Car Battery BCI Group 94R - 12V 80Ah H7

Boasting an 80AH capacity, our car battery delivers consistent, unwavering power over time. Its unparalleled cycling performance and rapid recharge set it apart from the competition.

www.weizeus.com

for $150-160, easier on my wallet..also wally world carries them as well.